Published: Sunday, April 20, 2014 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 9:52 p.m.

Hotel revenue in Lafourche Parish has recovered, albeit gingerly, from its dramatic fallout following the 2010 BP oil spill.

Revenues across the parish have increased steadily for the past two years, and are on pace to meet or exceed the highs reached before the oil spill during the 2009-2010 fiscal year that begins in July and ends in June.

Average hotel revenue in Lafourche Parish plumetted from $1.3 million a month in 2010-2011 to just over $1 million the following year. So far this year hotels took in an average of $1.4 million, a record pace through eight months.

But the recovery has not been equally distributed across the parish, and murmuring about a possible increase to the parish's hotel occupancy tax have sparked worries among local hoteliers.

Greg Gaudet cherishes the family business he inherited from his father. When he inherited the Carmel Inn and Suites, formerly franchised as the Ramada Inn and Holiday Inn, the Thibodaux native wanted to figure out ways to make his hotel stand out from the franchise chains that have proliferated the area.

But Thibodaux's hotel rates remain among the lowest in south Louisiana. The difference between rates amongst Thibodaux's four major hotels and hotels in and around Galliano, where oilfield workers often stay between shifts, is staggering. The average rate for a two-bed hotel room in Thibodaux for two upcoming weekday stays is $81.50. The average in Galliano for the same two-night stays in the same periods is over $136 per night.

“Things might be on fire down in Houma or down by Port Fourchon, but that certainly isn't the case here,” said Gaubert. “Our busiest time right now is spring, but on weekdays it's not unheard of to see occupancy rates in the single digits.”

Carmel Inn and Suites celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Gaubert was there when his father cut the ribbon on the Holiday Inn in 1974.

When Gaubert took over in 2009, he ended the franchising partnership with Ramada Inn, opting instead to localize the hotel. Many of his clients are foreign tourists who venture south of New Orleans to experience Acadian culture.

He keeps a translator on the front desk. The directories that he keeps in the rooms feature local businesses that he personally curates.

“Those are the kind of things that we do to distinguish ourselves,” Gaubert said. “It's the personal touches that make us stand out.”

Mysteriously, Gaubert said, the hotel traffic that has flooded neighboring Houma and south Lafourche has forgotten Thibodaux, a destination known more for its cultural attractions than for oilfield access. Even Morgan City, in neighboring St. Mary Parish, has higher average room rates than Thibodaux.

Gaubert is in the process of reducing capacity at his hotel, from 104 rooms down to 95, adding suites and luxury amenities such as Jacuzzi tubs to attract visitors looking for a more leisurely atmosphere.

The multi-room suites in particular attract bridal business and longer-stay travellers to Carmel Inn and Suites.

Lafourche Parish charges a 3 percent tax on all hotel room visits, compared to the 5 percent charged in Terrebonne Parish and the 15.25 percent visitors pay in Orleans Parish.

Lafourche Parish Councilman Lindell Toups, who opposes measures to raise a 0.2 percent sales tax to pay for a new jail facility, thinks it is time the parish's visitors pay their fair share.

“I am against the tax myself. I would rather go ahead with the hotel motel tax,” Toups said. “Just like Terrebonne Parish did for their sports complex.”

Terrebonne Parish voted in November to raise its hotel occupancy tax from 4 to 5 percent to construct a new sports complex.

Early voting is underway now for a sales tax that would cover the cost of replacing the decrepit Lafourche jail. If voters approve that tax, an increase in the hotel tax is not needed.

Toups, however, sees the sales tax as unnecessary. He spoke for two hours Wednesday on KLRZ 1600 AM about raising the hotel tax in place of an increased sales tax.

“I think (the sales tax) is going to have a hard time passing,” Toups said. “I think people are paying enough taxes, and if we can save us some money we can go another route, why not do it? Tourists are going to pay regardless.”

Carolyn Cheramie, executive director of the Bayou-Lafourche Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the bureau has not yet taken a position on a possible hotel tax.

“As far as I know the hotels are doing well. I haven't heard anything to the contrary,” Cheramie said. “It's steady. One year you might have a little peak and it will level out.”

Without proximity to oilfield locations, however, Gaubert said he believes Thibodaux hotels are at a unique disadvantage.

“They would really be hurting us at a time when we are already struggling here,” Gaubert said. “We are already cutting rates just to try to survive. They should be trying to promote travel here, not discourage it with a tax.”

Staff Writer John Harper can be reached at 857-2209 or john.harper@houmatoday.com. Follow him on twitter @JC_HARP.

<p>Hotel revenue in Lafourche Parish has recovered, albeit gingerly, from its dramatic fallout following the 2010 BP oil spill. </p><p>Revenues across the parish have increased steadily for the past two years, and are on pace to meet or exceed the highs reached before the oil spill during the 2009-2010 fiscal year that begins in July and ends in June. </p><p>Average hotel revenue in Lafourche Parish plumetted from $1.3 million a month in 2010-2011 to just over $1 million the following year. So far this year hotels took in an average of $1.4 million, a record pace through eight months. </p><p>But the recovery has not been equally distributed across the parish, and murmuring about a possible increase to the parish's hotel occupancy tax have sparked worries among local hoteliers. </p><p>Greg Gaudet cherishes the family business he inherited from his father. When he inherited the Carmel Inn and Suites, formerly franchised as the Ramada Inn and Holiday Inn, the Thibodaux native wanted to figure out ways to make his hotel stand out from the franchise chains that have proliferated the area. </p><p>But Thibodaux's hotel rates remain among the lowest in south Louisiana. The difference between rates amongst Thibodaux's four major hotels and hotels in and around Galliano, where oilfield workers often stay between shifts, is staggering. The average rate for a two-bed hotel room in Thibodaux for two upcoming weekday stays is $81.50. The average in Galliano for the same two-night stays in the same periods is over $136 per night.</p><p>“Things might be on fire down in Houma or down by Port Fourchon, but that certainly isn't the case here,” said Gaubert. “Our busiest time right now is spring, but on weekdays it's not unheard of to see occupancy rates in the single digits.”</p><p>Carmel Inn and Suites celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Gaubert was there when his father cut the ribbon on the Holiday Inn in 1974. </p><p>When Gaubert took over in 2009, he ended the franchising partnership with Ramada Inn, opting instead to localize the hotel. Many of his clients are foreign tourists who venture south of New Orleans to experience Acadian culture. </p><p>He keeps a translator on the front desk. The directories that he keeps in the rooms feature local businesses that he personally curates. </p><p>“Those are the kind of things that we do to distinguish ourselves,” Gaubert said. “It's the personal touches that make us stand out.”</p><p>Mysteriously, Gaubert said, the hotel traffic that has flooded neighboring Houma and south Lafourche has forgotten Thibodaux, a destination known more for its cultural attractions than for oilfield access. Even Morgan City, in neighboring St. Mary Parish, has higher average room rates than Thibodaux. </p><p>Gaubert is in the process of reducing capacity at his hotel, from 104 rooms down to 95, adding suites and luxury amenities such as Jacuzzi tubs to attract visitors looking for a more leisurely atmosphere. </p><p>The multi-room suites in particular attract bridal business and longer-stay travellers to Carmel Inn and Suites.</p><p>Lafourche Parish charges a 3 percent tax on all hotel room visits, compared to the 5 percent charged in Terrebonne Parish and the 15.25 percent visitors pay in Orleans Parish. </p><p>Lafourche Parish Councilman Lindell Toups, who opposes measures to raise a 0.2 percent sales tax to pay for a new jail facility, thinks it is time the parish's visitors pay their fair share. </p><p>“I am against the tax myself. I would rather go ahead with the hotel motel tax,” Toups said. “Just like Terrebonne Parish did for their sports complex.”</p><p>Terrebonne Parish voted in November to raise its hotel occupancy tax from 4 to 5 percent to construct a new sports complex.</p><p>Early voting is underway now for a sales tax that would cover the cost of replacing the decrepit Lafourche jail. If voters approve that tax, an increase in the hotel tax is not needed. </p><p>Toups, however, sees the sales tax as unnecessary. He spoke for two hours Wednesday on KLRZ 1600 AM about raising the hotel tax in place of an increased sales tax.</p><p>“I think (the sales tax) is going to have a hard time passing,” Toups said. “I think people are paying enough taxes, and if we can save us some money we can go another route, why not do it? Tourists are going to pay regardless.”</p><p>Carolyn Cheramie, executive director of the Bayou-Lafourche Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the bureau has not yet taken a position on a possible hotel tax. </p><p>“As far as I know the hotels are doing well. I haven't heard anything to the contrary,” Cheramie said. “It's steady. One year you might have a little peak and it will level out.”</p><p>Without proximity to oilfield locations, however, Gaubert said he believes Thibodaux hotels are at a unique disadvantage.</p><p>“They would really be hurting us at a time when we are already struggling here,” Gaubert said. “We are already cutting rates just to try to survive. They should be trying to promote travel here, not discourage it with a tax.”</p><p>Staff Writer John Harper can be reached at 857-2209 or john.harper@houmatoday.com. Follow him on twitter @JC_HARP.</p>